Basel to Colmar – An Amazing Day Trip in the Alsace Region

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There is something quite magical about spending the Christmas season in Europe. From the seasonal festivities featuring some of the best Christmas markets anywhere in the world to the stereotypical cold weather that just highlights the need to sample hot chocolate or mulled wine, Europe is undoubtedly the place to be at Christmas. Switzerland and France are two countries that we love spending time around the Christmas period and during our recent trip, we decided to take an awesome day trip from Basel to Colmar to experience the best of both places.

basel to colmar day trip

The beauty of finding a base in Switzerland is that you can easily take a plethora of awesome day trips to nearby Swiss cities or hop across the borders into either Germany or France. Our visit to Basel saw us spend 48 hours in this city and utilize this time to take a short day trip to the French town of Colmar, located in the Alsace region.

colmar france

For those of you unfamiliar with the geography of Switzerland, the city of Basel is located on the Rhine River in the north-west corner of the nation. From here, a trip to either Germany or France is just a short train ride (or road trip) and it’s definitely a great place to enjoy the best of the seasonal festivities in all three nations.

Let’s take a look at how you can enjoy the best of both places during a 24 hour period.

best things to do in colmar

How to Travel From Basel to Colmar

If you have been following our travel blog for a while, you should realize by now that we love exploring all of Europe by train. In our opinion, it’s the best way to experience this continent, regardless of other opinions that the low-cost airlines make it cheap, easy and an efficient way to get around. But alternatively, if you are the type of traveler that prefers to rent a car and be self-sufficient, the short road trip to Colmar is well worth it also.

colmar train station

By Train

Train travel enables you to discover “hidden gems”. Train travel is convenient. Most importantly, train travel is reliable! Whether you are using the handy Eurail app or simply visiting the local train station, you can be sure that the timetables reflecting the times of future routes will be pretty accurate.

We have found that a delay of 5-8 minutes is cause for concern among locals…trust us, when you fly as frequently as we do, this delay is nothing compared to the several hours you may experience waiting inside an airport terminal.

colmar train station

So…in a nutshell, for those of you planning a trip from Basel to Colmar, the best way to enjoy this is by hopping on the train and taking the short 40-45 minute journey into the Alsace region of France. Not only will you have an awesome final destination, the journey itself offers gorgeous panoramic views of the Swiss/French countryside.

By Car

Road tripping is always a fun experience and for those of you spending some time exploring Switzerland by car, the journey from Basel to Colmar is simple, painless and will likely take you around 45-50 minutes dependent on traffic.

Simply hop on the A35 autoroute which passes both the airport and the east side of the city and just follow the signs for the center of Colmar.

But if you are really insistent on driving, why not add Germany to the route? For only an extra 15-20 minutes, you can head towards Lörrach, located in the in the valley of the Wiese before crossing the Rhine River and heading towards Colmar.

Best Things to Do in Colmar

Before arriving in the idyllic town of Colmar, it’s worth doing some research to figure out the best things to do there. If you are visiting during the festive season as we did, the highlight is undoubtedly the Christmas festivities and those iconic Christmas markets that are perhaps some of the best in Europe. Here are a few of the highlights that you should consider when heading to the heart of the Alsace region of France.

colmar france

Old Town

Just like most idyllic French towns, one of the best things to do in Colmar is to head straight to the Old Town and walk around and explore. The Old Town is a short walk from the train station and is filled with spectacular architecture. Flower filled balconies, perfectly maintained structures and the infamous colored timber that epitomizes everything there is to love about French inspired artisanal towns.

french architecture

The beauty of Colmar is that the narrow streets make this the perfect place to just let yourself get lost and be spontaneous. Our number one tip for anyone exploring the lesser known French towns, is to allow spontaneity to take over. From quirky boutique French souvenir shops to a local patisserie (or two) serving freshly made baguettes and decadent sweet treats. If you can resist heading inside one of these, you have way more willpower than we do!

colmar old town france

There is something quite magical and charming about Colmar’s Old Town neighborhood. Aside from the quaint storefronts, you never quite know what monument or memorial you may stumble across as you walk around a corner.

old town neighborhood colmar

This quintessential part of Colmar dates back to the 13th century when it was a flourishing market town full of local butchers, tanners and fishmongers but today, it’s a blend of locals and visitors alike mingling among the decadent architecture.

colmar architecture

Little Venice

Although the district of Little Venice is located in the heart of the Old Town, I think this area is unique and diverse enough to justify it’s own section. This is simply a part of Colmar you cannot afford to miss and the moment you arrive in the immediate vicinity of this neighborhood, you will quickly understand why.

la petite venise

The idyllic, colorful half-timbered structures that line the cobblestone streets are only part of the reason why Little Venice is such a popular spot among visitors.

colmar little venice

Located on the banks of the Lauch River, visitors to Little Venice can treat themselves to a self-guided experience of this district. Why not start your adventure around Little Venice at Place de l’Ancienne Douane, an iconic fountain and monument dedicated to a great general of Charles V.

colmar little venice old town

As you start following the path that lines the canal, the rest is all about spontaneity. Your eyes will quickly drift towards the architectural brilliance on display, along with the colorful floral displays on the balconies that locals always take care of.

colmar canals

The intricate details of the structures around Quai de la Poissonnerie (Fishing Quay) makes this a popular spot for visitors to take pictures but as your journey through Little Venice continues, you should be prepared to have plenty of memory cards available because this neighborhood is a microcosm of Colmar with so many amazing sights that you will want to photograph.

little venice canals

Unterlinden Museum

Colmar, just like many other French towns in the Alsace region, is home to a number of historic museums but none are quite as popular as Unterlinden Museum. Located in a former 13th-century Dominican religious sisters’ convent and a 1906 former public baths building, this museum houses a large collection of local, domestic and international artworks.

For the art aficionados out there, you will be familiar with the infamous Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grunewald but this is just one of many artistic masterpieces to be found inside this museum. Although Unterlinden Museum is the most popular in the Alsace region, you may be surprised to hear that this is actually the second most frequently visited museum in France outside of those in Paris.

Paintings may be the highlight attraction inside the museum but you can also find quite the collection of sculptures, artifacts, decorative arts and also archaeological artifacts. It’s undoubtedly a historian’s dream but even those visiting Colmar that are not particularly interested in museums (like ourselves), will likely find this an intriguing place to visit.

Sample Local Restaurants

Colmar’s amazing architecture may be the primary reason for visiting but this region of France is also home to a plethora of amazing restaurants, offering both local and global cuisine. With Colmar being located along the French/German border, it’s no surprise to see that there is a distinctive blend of both when it comes to the cuisine offerings. Traditional French flair combined with typical German gastronomy create the perfect environment for restaurants to succeed in Colmar. Plus, if you visit at Christmas, you can always experience local, home-made delicacies!

christmas markets

If you are looking for the ultimate, Colmar based cuisine, perhaps a traditional “berawecka” is the perfect choice. This sweet treat is a spiced, soft bun consisting of fruit confit, dried fruits and toasted nuts. This is particularly popular among locals and visitors alike during the festive season. Our top tip on the best place to find berawecka is to visit Thierry Mulhaupt’s Patisserie located on Place de l’Ecole.

colmar restaurants

We sampled a delicious Italian restaurant (L’Amandine) while in Colmar, proving that it’s not just French and German cuisine that thrive here.

st martin's church

Heather opted for a traditional pizza and I couldn’t resist the Spaghetti Bolognese. Located in Place de la Cathedrale in front of St. Martin’s gothic church, L’Amandine is definitely a place we recommend visiting if you are looking for delicious Italian fare.

l'amandine italian restaurant

As you continue your adventure exploring Colmar’s Old Town, you cannot help but notice a myriad of bakeries, locally known as patisseries. As mentioned, Thierry Mulhaupt’s is just one example but if you need an artisanal French pastry, it won’t take long to find a chocolatier or patisserie to satisfy your tastebuds.

local french bakery

Seasonal Festivities

It’s the magic of Christmas. Without a doubt, Colmar is transformed into a magical wonderland during the festive season. Whether you have visited Colmar previously throughout the year, a trip to this part of France during the Christmas season is an experience you won’t want to miss. Colmar’s Christmas market scene is incredible and definitely near the very top of our favorite places in Europe to enjoy the festivities.

colmar christmas market

Why is Colmar such a popular spot for Christmas markets? Perhaps because of the quirky architecture surrounding the markets that makes the atmosphere so magical or maybe it’s because there are SIX different markets scattered across the town.

christmas market stalls

Each of Colmar’s six Christmas Markets is a separate mini-village with its own collection of passionate craftsmen (colmar La magie de Noel)

mulled wine

Regardless of where you walk when exploring Colmar, it won’t take long before you arrive at a cluster of market stalls selling locally crafted ornaments, delicious seasonal French inspired treats and of course the pièce de résistance at any European Christmas market, hot mulled wine.

mulled wine christmas market

Summary

If you are fortunate enough to visit Colmar at Christmas, you will be treated to a collection of amazing seasonal festivities epitomizing everything there is to love about the Alsace region of France. However, if you visit Colmar at any other time of the year, you will experience a beautiful, historic French town that is full of gorgeous architecture, delicious restaurants and of course, local patisserie’s that will entice you through their doors.

colmar france

A day trip from Basel to Colmar is definitely an experience you should consider if you exploring Switzerland. It gives you the opportunity to head across the border into France and enjoy something a little different but is convenient enough to easily enjoy in less than a day. Colmar may be a place you want to spend a few days but regardless of your itinerary, it’s a location you will not want to miss out on.

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Chris Boothmanhttps://abritandasoutherner.com
Chris Boothman is the co-founder of A Brit and A Southerner. Born near Manchester, England, Chris moved to USA in 2006 where he soon after met his wife and travel partner in crime, Heather. They have since embarked on an amazing journey of travel as they challenge others to follow in their paths of working full-time but also being able to travel frequently! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact Chris at [email protected]

18 COMMENTS

  1. I have been thinking about visiting Colmar for such a long time, it’s such a pretty village. Your photos show that it’s also stunning in winter! I’m putting it on my list for our next Christmas trip!
    #WeekendWanderlust

  2. I would love to walk around the Old Town of Colmar. I’m pinning your post for travel planning, as we are booked to stay in Strausburg the end of the summer and I’m hoping to visit Colmar from there!

  3. I have been thinking about visiting Colmar for such a long time, it’s such a pretty village. Your photos show that it’s also stunning in winter! I’m putting it on my list for our next Christmas trip!
    #WeekendWanderlust

  4. Thanks for sharing my dear friend. Will definitely consider now a day trip from Switzerland to Colmar/France.

    Yummy Pizza and Pasta Bolognese on the way 🙂

    Keep sharing your experiences and guiding us.

    Greetings from New Zealand

    Maria

  5. We came upon Colmar almost by mistake. Not only is its old centre a beautiful place to explore, the area around it is just so picturesque, especially the wine route.

  6. The Alsace, it’s that region in France that makes everyone who step foot to revisit time and again..
    It’s almost the holidays – should we all head there soon?! 😉

  7. We arrived nearly by mistake on Colmar. Not only is its old town a beautiful place to explore, the surrounding area is so picturesque, particularly the wine road.

  8. On Colmar, we almost arrived by accident.
    Not only is the old town a lovely place to visit, but the surrounding area, especially the wine path, is equally lovely.

  9. Alsace is famous for its beer (for example, Kronenbourg or Meteor), its sauerkraut (choucroute in French), and several other local specialities such as Alsace Flammekueche, a traditional dish that is not unlike a pizza without tomatoes, but covered with cheese, cream, mushrooms and local ham.

  10. We almost stumbled onto Colmar by accident. Not only is the old town a lovely destination to visit, but the surrounding area, particularly the wine path, is also lovely.

  11. Very nicely explained article. Thank you for that. A couple of questions that I had were, we are traveling with an 18 months old. What time do the Christmas markers pick up as far as the human traffic and till what time do they go?
    Is half a day going to be good enough for us? Let’s say 2pm till 9pm, as the last train seems to be around 9pm.

    And final question is whether you visited Strasbourg as well? And if so which of these two would you recommend visiting for a first visitor that can only see one and not the other due to time constraint.

    Much appreciated

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